BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

B V O V : 2 1 Boots on the ground! It's a phrase most often used to describe combat troops that have been deployed to a foreign country, or people in place to control a situation. But when disaster strikes in most any region where Partners of Kenneth Copeland Ministries live, the phrase takes on an even more important meaning. As Riley Stephenson, who leads KCM's Disaster Relief Team, describes it, having boots on the ground means "God needs us there, checking on our Partners and Friends." That was the case in July when catastrophic oods inundated parts of Kerr and Burnet counties in Central Texas, killing more than 100 people and destroying miles of property. Weeks after the ooding, state and federal responders, alongside thousands of volunteers from across the country, continued search and recovery efforts. Within hours following the ooding, KCM's Disaster Relief Team was mapping out a plan to connect with local churches in and around Kerrville and Marble Falls in Central Texas; determining how we could best serve the communities, as well as our KCM Partners and Friends in those areas. As soon as the roads were cleared, Riley and other team members left KCM to make the 250-mile drive to Kerrville. Meanwhile, employees in the Partner Service Center at KCM's Headquarters in Fort Worth were already on the phones, reaching out to KCM Partners in the area of Kerr and Burnet counties. Grateful and Overwhelmed "We focused rst on reaching out to our Partners and Friends," Riley said, "going door to door in the hardest-hit areas to check on their welfare, pray with them, and offer nancial assistance. We worked closely with Gates of the City Church in Kerrville and Victory Church in the Marble Falls area, using them as local hubs to identify affected Partners and connect with the surrounding community. "We ministered to individuals and families face-to-face, many of them in tears, just grateful someone showed up. One pastor, whose house had ooded, was overwhelmed when we gave him nancial support. With tears in his eyes, he said, 'I thought Kenneth Copeland forgot about me.' In another case, we arrived at the home of a Partner living in a high-risk area just in time to con rm she was safe. "There were emotional moments for our team. The devastation was heartbreaking; homes were destroyed, bridges washed out, and lives forever changed. But we also witnessed the power of faith in action. We saw the Lord show up powerfully through prayer, encouragement, and divine appointments. "Our team was deeply moved and humbled to be part of what God is doing through KCM during these moments of crisis. These moments reminded us why we do this. It's not just about physical relief; it's about bringing hope, love and the tangible presence of Jesus into every situation." Partners, you may not have been among those who were able to rush to the aid of those in Central Texas, but as a KCM Partner, you were right there with us—joining us in provide whatever relief was necessary, and wrapping 'God needs us there, checking on our Partners and Friends. KCM Provides Relief to Flood Victims In Central Texas ' loving arms around the Partners and Friends who desperately needed our help. You not only have a part in ministering to those affected by this disaster, but through your prayers and support, you are part of everything we do to bring help and healing to those in need. When tragedy strikes, just as Riley said, "God needs us there" to help in whatever way possible. Please continue to be in prayer with us for the cities of Kerrville and Marble Falls, the Central Texas region, and those across the country who have been affected by this devastating event. and offer nancial assistance. We worked Kerrville and Victory Church in the Marble The KCM Disaster Relief Team is made possible by the nancial support and prayers of our Partners. If you are aPartner with Kenneth Copeland Ministries, thank you! Your support through prayer and giving has a profound impact on lives, enabling us to respond immediately when disaster strikes across the nation or in your backyard. To give to the disaster relief fund please visit kcm.org/relief Pastor Bert Wimberly (left) and Riley (right) praying for a man who lost his granddaughter in the fl ood.

• Cover